Extent: 106 pieces; There are 38 letters, 63 documents, and five volumes, one of which is the captain's letterbook.

Repository: The Huntington Library

San Marino, California 91108

Language:
English.

Administrative Information

Provenance

The collection was acquired from John Howell September 18, 1958.

Access

Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information
please go to following
URL .

Publication Rights

In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials, researchers must obtain formal permission
from the office of the Library Director. In most instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical
property rights only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary rights. In some instances,
the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the physical property rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate
curator for further information.

The French Clandestine Slave Trade Papers contain the original French Documents relating to a Negro trade expedition undertaken
by the French ship Le Jeune Louis. The trip extended from Nantes to the coast of Nigeria, from there to Havana and back to
Flushing.

All of the papers pertain directly to the slave ships equipment, the crew, salaries, merchandise, accounts, passports, bills
of health, and an insurance policy. The actual purchase of the slaves, their prices and negotiations with Negro Kings is discussed
in one of the journals and other papers. There are records of suicides and deaths. Information regarding the precautions taken
to veil the true nature of the expedition is included. The record of the voyage extends from November, 1824 through October
4, 1825.

Jean-Baptiste Menard was the Captain of the Jeune Louis and was apparently experienced in the slave trade. He died April 24,
1825. Bejaud, the ship's surgeon, took command of the cargo after the death of Menard. But he died shortly after on May 5,
1825. Francois Demouy was then third in command of the vessel and finished the voyage to Havana and finally to Antwerp. Francois
Fernandez appears to be the chief investor in the operation with offices in Bordeaux. Jean Donnet was the shipper's agent
in Antwerp.

Subject matter

All of the original French documents relate to a Negro trade expedtition undertaken by the French ship Le Jeune Louis.